Music device



June 22, 1943. s. MIHAILOFF 2,322,465

' MUSIC DEvIcE Filed Feb. 14, '1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WMM Patented June 22, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 72.32;,465 MUSIC Lmivlos Sergei Mihaiioff, san Francisco', caiif. Application February 14,1942, serial No. 430,891 9 claims. c1. '(344435) My invention relates to means for readily indicating the appropriate accidentals Yin all of the musical scales, both major and minor, and likewise includes means for readily indicating an approved fingering for playing such indicated scales on an instrument, particularly the piano, and therefore indicates the fingering for lboth left and right hands. The device is useful vin Y connection with music generally, but has been worked out particularly in connection with the piano. Y Y

It is an object of my invention to provide a musical devi-ce which will facilitate the correct accidental placing and fingering in the various musical scales.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple, readily manufactured, portable and compact device which will attain the object indicated.

An additional Object of my invention is to provide a musical device which is readily adjustable to provide an indicationin a small compass of the appropriate accidental and fingering relationshipcf the various musical scales.

vAnother object is to provide a music device which will indicate two scales, or scales for two hands, with a selected interval therebetween, such as thirds,sixthsfoctaves, and tenths or anyy other interval.

vOther objects together with the foregoingwill be` set forth in full in the following description of my invention taken in connection'with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a plan of the musical device of my invention showing the obverse side.

Fig. 2 is a similar plan of my musical device showing the reverse side.

Fig. 3 is a plan showing the interior of my musical device as it appears when the cover or obverse casing is removed, certain portions in addition being in cross-section.

Fig. fl is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a detailed cross-section, the plane of which is indicated bythe line 5,-'5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line= 6 6" of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section to a' slightly reduced scale, the plane of which is indicated by the line l--1 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing indetail a portion of the tape mechanism, parts being in cross-section.A

Inits preferred form, the music device of my invention comprises a casingor frame having at .a'musical scale.

'scale and likewise characters corresponding with 'the individual note indicia on the slide, so that 'upon placing corresponding note indicia on the tape and slide in registry the accidente-ls for that particular'scale'will fall in appropriate position with respect to the remaining note indicia on the slide to afford a correct visual indication of 'all of the accidentale for the particular musical scaleindicated.

While the musical device ofmy invention can readily `be' 'embodied in a number vof different forms, it has successfully been incorporated in the manner disclosed herein. While the drawings herein are not intended to be precisely to 'scale,'yet the positioning of the various indicia should be accurately done and if the general overall length of the device is taken as approximately fifteen inches, which is a convenient portable size, then the remaining dimensions and the positioning of the various indicia can readily be vestimated from the drawings. .HThus, inthe embodiment illustrated, there is provided a frame, generally designated 6, which includes atop or obverse casing 1, preferably a plastic or metal stamping, which is designed to be connected by a hinge 8 to a comparable reverse casing 9 similarly fabricated. 'Ihe two casings, 'l'` and 9, are held together normally by a spring catch Il, When in closed position, Ithe frame 'includes a pair of ,endl chambers I2 and I3 and an intermediateattened tube I4.

vzIn theuobverse'casing "I, there is provided a winddw'l preferably sealed with a transparent ysheet" Il and `.in exact registry with the window |6is"'a similar windowv i8 in the reverse casing 50 9 which is in turn sealed by a transparent window [9. Arranged to be longitudinally displaced'beneath the window I6 is a transparent slide 2| 'whichat its opposite ends is anchored securely to'rings 22 and 23, preferably Aof metal. The rings 22 and' 23 are providedwith oppositely extending threaded sleeves 24 (Fig. 6) engaged by threaded stems 23 on manipulating knobs 21. The sleeves 24 pass through appropriate slots 28 and 29 in the obverse casing 1 and reverse casing 9 respectively, and hence, guide and support the slide 2| to move in a rectilinear path. The slide itself has sufficient stiffness so that it can be moved in opposite directions by any one ofthe knobs 21.

The slide 2| is of such length and displacement with respect to the length of the window I6 that substantially two-thirds of the slide is visible at any one time and at any slide position through such window. Marked on the transparent slide 2| are note indicia 3|, the individual ones of which represent the names of notes in the musical scale arranged in` regu- .n lar order and evenly spaced apart (the usual spacing being about Ci/a to f2- of an inch) and the series of note indicia 3| together constituting three musical octaves, Since sul stantially two-thirds of the slide is visible through the window, two musical octaves are visible through the window at any one time and in any given position of the slide. By appropriately operating any one of the knobs 21 the slide 2| can be longitudinally displaced to display two complete octaves beneath the window I6 and beginning on any selected note of the scale.

While various instrumental ngerings can be indicated by my music device, I illustrate herein fingerings appropriate for the piano or any keyboard instrument and for that purpose provide a second but opaque slide 36 which is of substantially the same length as the slide 2| and is similarly mounted in the frame 6 by means of control knobs 31 operating through slots 38 and 39 in the obverse casing 1 and the reverse casing 9. The opaque slide 36 on its obverse face is provided with fingering indicia 4| spaced apart to correspond exactly with the spacing of the note indicia 3| on the adjacent slide and arranged in order of scale fingering grouped in threes and fours in the finger-pattern order 2, 3, I, 2, 3, 4 for each octave of the three octaves illustrated by the indicia 3| with a terminal 5as follows:

Thus, by sliding any of the knobs 31 the second slide 36 can be positioned to have such portion visible through the window I6 and in vertical alignment with the indicia 3| as to indicate the correct fingering for the indicated scale. This fingering is in accordance with established rules which show the proper relative position 0f the slides 36 and 2|. This fingering remains the same for all interval combinations such as 3, I0, 6' and is as follows: v

White key scales Right-hand, begin with thumb. Pass thumb alternately under third and fourth fingers, passing first under the third.

Left-hand, begin with fifth finger, play to the thumb and pass over the third and fourth fingers alternately passing rst over the third.`

Exception, major and minor scales on B and F. In B major and minor, the left-hand begins with the fourth finger and begins the alterna--y tion by first passing over the fourth finger. In F major and minor, the right-hand begins the alternations by passing the thumb first under the fourth finger and ending with the thumb or the fourth finger at the top ofthe scale.A

Black key scales (major) Right-hand, fourth finger on B flat (or A sharp when the enharmonic change occurs later).

Left-hand, fourth finger falls upon the fourth note of the scale. Begin with the third finger.

Exception, G flat major. The right-hand begins with the second finger, the left-hand with the fourth.

Black key scale (minor-harmonic) B fiat minor and E fiat minor, right-hand fourth finger on B flat, left-hand second finger on B flat and on E fiat.

' A flat (G sharp) minor is fingered the same as the major.

C sharp minor and F sharp minor, right-hand fourth finger on second note of scale, left-hand third finger on C sharp, fourth finger on F sharp By following the appropriate portion of the foregoing rule the slides 36 and 2| can be relatively set so that the appropriately visible portions will indicate the correct fingering for the scale displayed. But such fingering is indicated only for the right-hand.

In order to indicate the appropriate fingering for the left-hand, I provide an exactly similar structure to that already described, except arranged in slightly different order. That is to say, corresponding to the slide 3B is a supplementary slide 4B which is opaque and which is carried by appropriate knobs 41 in all respects similar to the knobs 31. The strip 46 is identical with the strip 36 and carries indicia 4B thereon which are exactly the same as the indicia 4| but are arranged in reverse order with precisely the same spacing.

Similarly, there is likewise visible through the window I6 an additional transparent slide 5I which at opposite ends is fastened to rings 52 provided with manipulating knobs 53 operable through. slots 54 and 5S in the obverse casing 1 and the reverse casing 9 respectively, so that by moving any one of the knobs 53 the slide 5| can be longitudinally translated. This side is identical with the slide 2| and carries indicia 51 thereon which are identical with and lare spaced the same as the indicia 3| so that with all of the slides visible through the window I6 there is possible a vertical alignment of all of the sundry indicia. In this fashion the fingering for the two hands is indicated by the opaque inner slides adjacent to the two outer transparent slides. The terms inner and outer are relative since the positions of the various slides can be arranged in any selected order inthe frame. A different order is illustrated in Fig. 8.

As illustrated in Fig. l, for example, scales are playable at an interval of an octave by arranging .the various slides as indicated and the correct fingering is likewise so displayed. Ii it is desired to play a scale at an interval of a third or tenth rather than an octave, it is merely neces sary to leave the strips 4G and 5| alone but to displace the strips 2| and 36 to the left (as seen in Fig. 1) an amount equal to the spacing of three indicia so that the third letter of the desired scale and the third number of the fingering indicia appears at the left-hand corner of the window i rather than the first character thereof,

To play a scale in slxths, assuming that the musical device is first arranged for playing in octave position as illustrated, it is merely neces- ,sary to leave the transparent slide 2| and the opaque slide-36 alone and to displace the transparent slide 5| and the opaque slide 46 three letters and numbers respectively to the left (as seen in Fig.V 1).

The por-tions of the musical device already described will give indications for playing any scale but-for the very important exception of the accidentals.

In order to provide for proper indication of accidentals, I provide Within the chambers 'I2 and I3 suitably mounted bearing `blocks, 6I and 62 in which are journalled shafts 63 and 64 of appropriate tape spools 66 and 61 respectively. At its opposite ends fastened to the spool shafts 63 is an opaque flexible tape 68 substantially all of which can beicontained on one of the spools and which in one vembodiment is approximately seven feet long. In passing from oneof the spools 66 to the other spool 61, the tape is threaded through the rings 22 and 23 at opposite ends of the slide 2| and hence is visible through the transparent slide. The tape 68v has marked on it indicia 69 consisting of the letter-names of notes of the musical scale (shown slightly out of registry in the drawings for increased clarity) and also contains accidental marks, preferably one side of the tape containing only sharps and double sharps. The spacing of the letter or note indicia 69 on the tape 68 is preferabiy such as to register with each eleventh indicium as sp-aced on the transparent slide 2|. Thus, if the letter A is in registry on the tape and on the slide (as illustrated in Fig. i) then the next registration is with the eleventh following letter which is the letter E (as shown in fr Fig. i) and if then the tape is moved so that eachA of the letter indicia on the tape registers the slide likewise registers with a ycorresponding indicium on the tape.

In making the tape I havefound it convenient to have the letter or note indicia begin with the letter C spaced substantially 6 inches from the beginning of the tape and to be disposed with a space between the letters of 4% inches and in the order C, G, D, A, E, B, F, C, which accounts for the major scales. This series is followed by the letters for the minor scales in the order A, E, B, F, C, G, D, A, with a space of 61/8 inches between successive letters and with a distance of 7% inches between the last letter of the major scale series and the first letter of the minor scale series. With this arrangement of the note indicia on the tape, the first sharp or accidental indicium is disposed 2@ inches from the indiciurn (5, and hence when the note indiciurn G on the tape and the note indicium G on the slide are in exact registry this sharp will appear just in advance ofv the indicium F which is correct.

Including the first sharp just mentioned, there is a series or set of eleven which are spaced 2% inches apart on the tape. This rst set of sharps is supplement by a second set of 10 sharps, the first of which starts 21%, inches from the letter D and are spaced 2% inches apart. Thethird set includes 8 sharps and starts 21% inches from the note indicium A with the same spacing; the fourth set of 6 sharps starts at 21%; inches from the letter 'E with the same spacing. The fth set of 5 sharps starts 2% inches from the letter B lwith the same intervening spacing, the sixth set of 3 Sharps starts 296- inches from the letter #F with the same spacing, while the seventh and last set 0f'sharps,including but twogstarts 26g inches.

inches from the letter #C and has the sameLspacing. The total is 45 sharps forthe sharp `major scale.

In the minor scales there is a total of 65-sharps and 6 doublesharps, the firstsharp lbeing'spaced 2% inches from the letter A and the successive Sharps come in pairs with 2% inches between the sharps .of each pair and 31/4 inches between successive. pairs. The double shar-ps are in three pairs and follow the sharpszin the same spacing and order. The second set has 14 sharps arranged in seven pairs with the Asarne spacing as the first set, but beginning 1A inch from `the note indiciurn E. The thirdset comprises 12 sharps or six pairs with .similar spacing, but starting 11/2 inches from the note indicium B. The fourth set includes five pairs or l0 sharps arranged with similar distances but starting 2% inches from the letter iiF, the sharp being placed 1/8 inch before the letter.

The first set starts 1% inches from 'the letter iiC which has a sharp placed V8 inch before it. The 8 sharps in this set are-differently arranged. The distance between the first two Sharps is 2% The pair so formed is 31/4 inches from the next pair and the distance b'etween'the next 3 sharps is 2% inches. The following 2 sharps are 3% inches apart while the vlastfsharp is 2% inches from the preceding one. In the sixth Vset an extra sharp is placed 1/8 inch before "the letter tG and an extra sharp 1/8' inch before the letter ID, these two extra sharps being 6% inches kfrom each other. The first sharp of' the sixth set itself is 11/2 inches from the lletter iiD andl the set includes two pairs of sharps with 31/4 inches between the pairs and 2% inchesbetween the sharps of each pair. In the seventh set the rst sharp is 11/2 inches from the letter IIA and the distance between the final pair is 2% inches. The letter A has a sharp disposed 1pinch before'it.

With the indicated spacing it will be found that when the transparent slide 2| is positionedwith any desired note indicium such as the letterA (as illustratedin Fig. 1) at Vthe left-hand vedge of the lwindow I6 and if at the same time` the operating knob 'I2 of vthe appropriate spool '66 or 61 is rotated until the identical indicium 69 (that is, the letter A) is vin exact registry with the similar indicium on the slide, then all the accidental indicia 69 will fall in correct position subjacent the successive note indicia 3| onv the transparent slide, so that when viewed together through the Window I6 there will be a correct indication of the selected musical scale with its proper accidentals in their respective places and by following the appropriate finger rules given and disposing the opaque slide 36v accordingly, the fingering for that particular scale will be shown.

In exactly similar fashion, there is provided a corresponding spool set 13 and 14 for a'second tape 16 adapted to pass through the rings 52 of the transparent slide 5| so that the accidentals for the left-hand can be equally indicated. In

y this fashion, by appropriately setting the slides visible on the obverse side of the musical device according to the directions given herein, the C major, A minor and all of the sharp scales, both major and minor, can be appropriately displayed and the correct fingering for each can be indicated.

In order to make the musical device equally effective for flat keys, the reverse side of the structure is utilized, the indicationbeingthat one visible through the obverse window I8 and as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Mounted on the rings 22 is a transparent slide 8| which is paired with the slide 2| and moves in conjunction therewith. The slide 8| has exactly the same indicia 82 thereon as appear on the slide 2| in registry with such indicia and in exactly the saine order but inverted. Similarly, the rings 52 are provided with a supplementary transparent slide 83 which is marked with a series of note indicia 84 exactly like those on the slide 5| in the same order and with precisely the spacing except that they are inverted in position. In a similar fashion, the reverse sides of the opaque slides 36 and 4B carry fingering indicia 86 and 8l respectively which are inverted and have the same spacing as the indicia 4| and 48 and are arranged in exactly the same ngering order given for both the right-hand and the left-hand hereinabove, but numerals in any particular location do not necessarily nd counterpart on the opposite side of the slide.

The two tapes 68 and 'i6 likewise carry indicia 9| on their reverse side to be visible through the transparent slides 8| and 83 and these are the note indicia of the musical scale (shown slightly out of registry in Fig. 2 for clarity) and likewise the accompanying accidental marks for the at scales, both major and minor. The spacing of the note indicia or letters for the reverse side of the tapes is in the same fashion as given in connection with the spacing thereof on the obverse side of the tapes. Each corresponding letters match on opposite sides of the tape but in inverted position, thus:

The first set of flats for the major scales begins 1/2 inch to the left of the letter C which itself exactly matches #C on the obverse side of the tape (38 inches from the beginning of the tape). Each ilat is exactly 2% inches from the preceding one going toward the left. The second set of 10 iiats starts 1/2 inch to the left of the letter F and the spacing is 2%, inches between them. 'Ihe third set of 8 flats starts lg inch to the left of the letter B with the same spacing,

the fourth set of '7 flats starts 1/2 inch to the left oi' the letter E with the same spacing, the fth set of 5 flats starts 1/2 inch to the left of the letter A with the same spacing, the sixth set of 4 ats starts 1/2 inch to the left of the letter D with the same spacing and the seventh set of 2 flats starts 1/2 inch to the left of the letter G with the same spacing.

For the ilat minor scales there are a total of 49 flats, 10 natural signs and 6 sharps included in the accidentals. These can be arranged in seven sets with the signs in the first, second, third, fourth and sixth sets disposed in pairs with 31A inches between pairs and 2% inches between the signs of each pair. The first set includes 6 Sharps and 10 natural signs and the first sharp is 51/4 inches to the right of letter A with the spacing of the remaining Sharps as indicated, In the second set there are seven pairs of flats, the first fiat beginning 1% inches to the left of the letter A. In the third set there are six pairs with the nrst fiat 2N inches to the left of letter D. In the fourth set the first fiat is 21/8 inches to the left of letter C.

In the fifth set the first flat is 1/2 inch to the left of letter F and there are three groups of 2, 2

and 3 flats with the same distances between the groups as between the pairs in the previous sets. There is one flat 1/8 of an inch to the left of letter B. The sixth set has two pairs with the first iiat ls inches to the left of the same letter B. The seventh set has 3 ats, the rst of which is 1A; inch to the left of the letter E with the remaining being spaced 278 inches apart. By similar manipulation of the slides and tapes on the reverse side of the musical device, there can be observed through the window I8 any scale desired in which the signature comprises ats and with the appropriate accidental markings and scale iingering likewise discernible.

With the musical device as described, it is possible to set and to have for observation all of the various major and minor musical scales indicated both by sharps and by flats disposed for ready reference with the correct positioning of the accidentals in each and with the correct scale fingering indicated for each. At the same time, the structure is very simply manufactured and is of such size as to be readily portable for instant and ready use.

I claim:

1. A music device comprising a frame having a window therein, a transparent slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said slide having indicia thereon representing the notes in a musical scale, and a tape movable on said frame beneath said slide, said tape having indicia thereon representing accidentals in a musical scale.

2. A music device comprising a frame having a window therein, a transparent slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said slide having indicia thereon representing the notes in a musical scale, and a second slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said second slide having indicia thereon representing `a fingering scheme for each of the notes represented by the indicia of said transparent slide.

3. A music device comprising a frame having a window therein, a transparent slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said slide having indicia thereon representing the notes in a musical scale, a tape movable on said frame beneath said transparent slide, said tape having indicia thereon representing the accidentals in a musical scale, and a second slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said second slide having indicia thereon representing a fingering scheme for each of the notes represented by the combined indicia oi said transparent slide and of said tape.

4. A music device comprising a frame having a window therein, a transparent slide movable on said frame beneath said Window, said slide having thereon note indicia representing the notes in a musical scale of three octaves arranged so that only two octaves thereof are .visible through said Window in any given position of said slide, and a tape movable on said frame beneath said slide, said tape having note indicia thereon each representing the eleventh note from adjacent indicia and arranged to register with similar note indicia on said transparent slide, said tape also having indicia thereon representing accidentals applicable to notes represented by indicia on said transparent slide when similar note indicia on said slide and on said tape are in registry.

5. A music device comprising a frame having a Window therein, a transparent slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said slide having thereon note indicia representing the notes in a musical scale of three octaves arranged so that only two octaves thereof are visible through said window in any given position of said slide, a tape movable on said frame beneath said slide, said tape having note indicia thereon each representing the eleventh note from adjacent indicia and arranged to register with similar note indicia on said transparent slide, said tape also having indicia thereon representing accidentals applicable to notes represented by indicia on said transparent slide when similar note indicia on said slide and on said tape are in registry, and a second slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said second slide having thereon 'a ngering scheme for each of the notes represented by the combined indicia of said transparent slide and of said tape.

6. A music device comprising a frame having a Window therein, a transparent slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said slide having indicia thereon representing the notes in a musical scale, a second slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said second slide having indicia thereon representing a right-hand fingering scheme for each of the notes represented by the indicia of said transparent slide, an additional transparent slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said slide having indicia thereon representing the notes in a musical scale, and a fourth slide movable on said frame beneath said window, said fourth slide having indicia thereon representing a left-hand ngering scheme for each of the notes represented by the indicia of said additional transparent slide.

'7. A music device comprising a frame having a pair of registering windows disposed on oppo- .site sides thereof, a pair of spaced, registering transparent slides movable on said frame beneath said Windows, said slides having indicia thereon representing the notes in a musical scale, similar indicia on said slides registering but being relatively inverted, and a tape movable on said frame between said slides of said pair, said tape having indicia on opposite sides thereof representing accidentals in a musical scale.

8, A music device comprising a frame having a pair of registering windows disposed on opposite sides thereof, a pair of spaced, registering transparent slides movable on said frame beneath said windows, said slides having indicia, thereon representing the notes in a musical scale, similar indicia on said slides registering but being relatively inverted, anda tape movable on said frame between said slides of said pair, said tape having indicia on one side thereof designed to be read with the indicia on one of said slides to indicate accidentals in sharp keys and having indicia on the other side thereof designed to be read with the indicia on the other of said slides to indicate accidentals in at keys.

9. A music device comprising a transparent slide having indicia thereon representing the successive notes of a keyboard and a tape movable beneath said slide having indicia thereon representing accidentals in a musical scale, visible through said slide, adjustment of the tape relative to the slide serving to display any selected minor or major musical scale.

SERGEI MIHAILOFF. 

